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B-17 delivered for assignment question

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sonofatailgunner
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B-17 delivered for assignment question

I recently posted a question in Heavy and Very Heavy bombers forum. I asked if there was any way to track a specific B-17, (in this case a/c 44-8324),  from the factory to it's duty assignment. I quickly got a very helpful answer in the form of an excerpt from Roger Freeman's book "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story". To whit: 44-8324 Del Kearney 10/8/44; Albuquerque 15/8/44; Grenier 2/9/44; Ass 401BS/91BG [LL-R] Bassingbourn 12/9/44; {60+m} RetUS Bradley 11/6/45; Sth Plains 16/6/44; RFC Kingman 4/12/45.
 
If I am reading this correctly, a/c 44-8324  was delivered to Grenier (New Hampshire) on Sept 2, '44, from there it went to Bassingbourn and was assigned to the 401st BS on Sept 12, '44. Here's where it gets interesting: According to the 401st dailies, and substantiated by my fathers flight log, a/c 44-8324 was flown on it's first mission the next day, Sept 13, '44. This timeline seems to be askew, and it was pointed out to me that an aircraft couldn't have been received one day and flown on a mission the next day as the receiving unit wouldn't have had time to inspect the aircraft or even paint their identity marks on the tail and fuselage.
 
The simple explanation might be that the timeline from Freeman's book doesn't tell exactly when the aircraft arrived in Bassingbourn. It could have gotten there anytime between Sept 4th, or 5th and the 12th. My question is, what was the procedure for receiving and subsequently assigning an aircraft once it reached the bomb group? Whose responsibility was it to inspect the aircraft? Assign it to a squadron? Apply the markings? Etc.  I know there was a system of support activities at the 91st BG, but I'm not sure who did what.
 
Thanks
 
Frank
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    jpeters140
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    Re:B-17 delivered for assignment question (permalink)
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    Frank...It is possibly actually TRUE...it would depend on an operational requirement....there were times when the requirement for a maximum effort required ALL available aircraft to make the mission...it is not unheard of.
     
    I posted this in another posting about a situation where ALL aircraft in one squadron were shot down on a mission, and when a new aircraft arrived on one day, the new aircraft was sent on the mission the next day.
     
    Please keep in mind that there were no recognized holidays....missions were flown on Chrisrtmas, Easter, and any other holiday that was recognized..this was wartime, and, in a war....the war goes on irregardless of holidays.
     
    Jim :-)

    James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions 99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45 M/Sgt USAF (Retired)
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    mbee53
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    Re:B-17 delivered for assignment question (permalink)
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    The 441st Sub Depot performed third echelon maintenance at Bassingbourne from Nov. 1943 to Apr. 1945, when it was replaced by the 429th Air Service Group.  I am not sure whether it was responsible to inspect the aircraft, assign it to a squadron, or apply the markings.  This may be considered Second Echelon Maintenance and done by the ground echelon of the combat group.

    Mark
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    willieg1964
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    Re:B-17 delivered for assignment question (permalink)
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    Frank,
    Have you contacted the Air Force Historical center at Maxwell AAF? I was able to get the record card for my uncles B-17 which gave all the dates and locations from assembly line to being reported as lost. As long as you have the serial number of the aircraft (which you have) you should be able to get the same thing.
    Best of luck with your research.
     
    Bill

    Proud nephew of S/Sgt William N Latta Jr
    Ball Turret Gunner
    96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
    KIA May 8, 1944.
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    sonofatailgunner
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    Re:B-17 delivered for assignment question (permalink)
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    Thanks Bill
     
    I will certainly look into that
     
    Frank
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